KUALA LUMPUR – Being a first-time candidate after only a year in politics, 30-year-old Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) Liau Wei Jian might be the most ill-prepared candidate in the Selangor polls.
Liau, who is contesting in what he called “the hardest seat” in the state, said he only learned about his Seri Kembangan candidacy two days before nomination day, leaving him stunned.
He said this has left him at a disadvantage as he had to rush his campaign preparation when he had spent the year in Hulu Selangor.
Seri Kembangan has the highest percentage of Chinese voters in Selangor at about 82%.
“Yes, I was disappointed. I have been working hard (and contributing to the people) in the Hulu Selangor area, but I was not given the chance to contest there (Hulu Bernam, Kuala Kubu Bharu, and Batang Kali).
“Here, (Seri Kembangan), I have to start from zero, and at a very last minute at that. But I am putting these emotions aside and will work hard to win this seat.”
Liau could be the last candidate to have banners, posters, and flags put up in the constituency as he admittedly his team is struggling with logistics issues, and campaigning can only start earliest this Sunday.
The matter was also raised by his opponent, Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Wong Siew Ki, who told the crowd at a talk in Cheras on Thursday that her PN opponent (Liau) was missing as he was never seen in campaigns, and there were no PN flags or banners.
“PN might think that this is a ‘sure-lose’ seat; I was busy looking for my opponent, and he disappeared.”
In response, Liau said Wong is free to voice her views, but he will press on, adding that he wants to represent the Chinese in Bersatu and PN, if the coalition wins the Selangor polls.
Liau, whose background is in accounting and finance, said he has had several meetings with local leaders, and found that they are mainly about land grants and traffic congestion.
Asked why he joined Bersatu, he said he was inspired and invited by his mentor, Datuk Khalid Jaafar whom he claimed was also the mentor of caretaker Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Amirudin Shari.
Seri Kembangan will see a three-corner fight between Liau, Wong, and an independent candidate Wong Jung Lik, who was an MCA member. – August 5, 2023